The Aare Bobatolu of Ire Ekiti, Chief Oluwafemi Osasuyi, has appealed to security authorities to release Chief Tayo Alabi, who was reportedly arrested and detained by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Nigeria Police Force.

Chief Alabi was said to have been arrested on Tuesday over allegations linked to comments he allegedly made concerning what he described as the lack of support by Governor Biodun Oyebanji for Ire Ekiti-born politician, Bimbo Daramola, during the recently concluded APC House of Representatives primary election. He was later arraigned before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court on a charge of alleged stealing and subsequently remanded.

Reacting to the development, Chief Osasuyi expressed concern over the arrest and subsequent detention of Chief Alabi, describing the situation as unfortunate and capable of creating tension within the community.

He urged the relevant authorities to ensure Chief Alabi’s release while allowing due process to take its course, stressing that every citizen has the constitutional right to express opinions on political matters without fear of intimidation or harassment.

Chief Osasuyi also called for a thorough, transparent, and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest and the allegations against Chief Alabi to establish the facts and ensure that justice is served.

According to him, democracy flourishes when citizens are free to express their views and participate in political discussions within the ambit of the law.

The community leader further urged security agencies to exercise professionalism, fairness, and restraint in handling politically sensitive matters while safeguarding the rights of all citizens.

Chief Osasuyi appealed to residents and stakeholders in Ire Ekiti to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, expressing confidence that the truth would emerge through due process and that justice would ultimately prevail.

The Ekiti State Police Command has dismissed a police officer, Sergeant Osayingbemi Temitope, over alleged misconduct linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu, the Command said the officer was found behaving erratically in a viral social media video recorded in Ikole-Ekiti on May 9, 2026.

According to the statement, the officer was immediately subjected to medical and psychological evaluations following the incident.

The Command disclosed that the psychological assessment showed that the officer was emotionally stable, while the medical test confirmed that he tested positive for tobacco and amphetamine.

It added that during further investigations, the officer admitted to taking illicit drugs.

The statement noted that internal disciplinary procedures had been concluded and the officer was found culpable of misconduct.

“The officer was recommended for dismissal and the recommendation was upheld. The Command hereby confirms his dismissal, which takes immediate effect,” the statement said.

The Command reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains a disciplined organisation and would not tolerate acts of indiscipline, unprofessional conduct or any behaviour capable of tarnishing the image of the Force.

The Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Falade Adegoroye Micheal, charged officers of the Command to uphold professionalism, accountability, integrity and remain committed to their statutory responsibility of protecting lives and property.

Suspected gunmen who attacked the Christ Apostolic Church in Eda Oniyo, Ekiti State, have demanded a ransom of one billion naira for the release of 15 worshippers abducted during the incident, which also left one person dead.

The Eleda of Eda Oniyo, Oba Joseph Awolola, disclosed this while addressing journalists, noting that the kidnappers had established contact with the community and made their demand known. He appealed to the government to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of the victims.

Meanwhile, traditional rulers from neighbouring communities, including the Elewu of Ewu Ekiti, Oba Bamidele Adeniran, and the Owa of Iludun, Oba Adeniran, have called for a temporary ban on evening worship activities and a comprehensive overhaul of the security architecture in the area.

The monarchs also lamented the absence of security personnel, alleging that it took over an hour for security operatives to respond after the attack.

On their part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Brigadier General Ebenezer Ogundana (retd.), and the Commissioner of Police, Michael Falade, who visited the community for an on-the-spot assessment, assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims.

They urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and useful information.

At least 15 persons were kidnapped during the attack on Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Ominira, in Eda Oniyo, Ilejemeje Local Government Area of Ekiti State.